Chapter 4 Basics of English Grammar Business Communication Chapter 4 Basics of English Grammar Copyright 2010 South-Western Cengage Learning

Parts of Speech Every word in a message has a use. Becoming familiar with the parts of speech will help you choose appropriate words.

Parts of Speech Noun Adverb Pronoun Preposition Adjective Conjunction Interjection These are the eight parts of speech. 4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

Nouns Noun: a word used to name people, places, or things Examples include: Car, girl, clock 4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

Pronouns Pronoun: a word used in the place of a noun Examples include: she, he, they 4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

Adjectives Adjective: a word that describes or limits nouns and pronouns Examples: big, red, cool 4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

Verbs Verb: a word that expresses action, a state of being, or a condition Example: run, is, talk 4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

Adverbs Adverb: a word that modifies an action verb, an adjective, or another adverb Examples: quickly, late, now 4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

Prepositions Preposition: a word that connects a noun or pronoun to other words to form a phrase Examples: to, from, for 4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

Conjunctions Conjunction: a word or phrase that joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses Examples: and, but, so 4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

Interjections Interjection: a word or phrase used primarily to express strong emotion Examples: Oh! Help! 4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

Sentence Parts A sentence is a group of related words that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. © Image Source / Getty Images Using well-structured sentences will help you communicate clearly. 4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

Sentence Subjects A subject of a sentence is the person who is speaking, the person who is spoken to, or the person, place, or thing spoken about.

Simple Subject A simple subject is the main word in the complete subject that specifically names what the sentence is about. Examples: John, the young journalist, writes articles. The chair behind the girl is vacant.

Complete Subject A complete subject includes the simple subject plus all the sentence that is not part of the complete predicate. Examples: John writes articles. John, the young journalist, has written articles.

Compound Subject A compound subject is two or more simple subjects joined by conjunctions, such as and, or, nor, not only/but also, and both/and. Examples: John and Halle work for our company. His brother or my sister will accompany us.

Sentence Predicates The complete predicate is everything in the sentence said by, to, or about the subject. Examples: John writes articles. John, the young journalist, has written articles.

Simple Predicate The simple predicate is the verb in the complete predicate. Examples: John writes articles. John, the young journalist, has written articles.

Compound Predicate A compound predicate consists of two or more verbs with the same subject. Examples: John and Halle discussed the matter and concluded that we are handling this situation incorrectly. The engineer not only complained but also refused to finish the project. Sara agreed to mow the lawn and trim the shrubs for Jack.

Objects and Subject Complements Objects and subject complements help to complete the thought expressed by a subject and simple predicate.

Objects An object is a noun, pronoun, clause, or phrase that functions as a noun. It may be direct or indirect.

Direct Object A direct object helps complete the meaning of a sentence by receiving the action of the verb. Direct objects answer the questions what? Or whom? Examples: Louis closed the door. (Louis closed what?) The boy lost his mother. (The boy lost whom?)

Indirect Object An indirect object receives the action that the verb makes on the direct object. The indirect object usually answers the question to whom is this action being directed? Examples: Rafael gave Thomas the candy bar. (The candy bar was given by Rafael to Thomas.) Lacy sold Andrew her car. (The car was sold to Andrew by Lacy.)

Subject Complements A subject complement is either a noun or pronoun that renames the subject or an adjective that describes the subject. Examples: Peter is an honest banker. (The noun banker renames Peter.) We have been sleepy before. (The adjective sleepy describes we.) Her writing appears magical. (The adjective magical describes writing.)

Clauses A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate. 4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

Independent Clause An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Example: One of our sales managers has developed an excellent training manual.

Dependent Clause A dependent clause must be attached to an independent clause to make sense. Example: Which we plan to use in future training sessions Complete Sentence: One of our sales managers has developed an excellent training manual, which we plan to use in future training sessions.

Phrases A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain both a subject and a predicate.

Prepositional Phrase A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a noun substitute. Examples: Place both cartons on the desk. The boxes in the office belong to him.

Verb Phrase The combination of a main verb, either action or linking, preceded by a helping verb or verbs forms a verb phrase. Examples: Julita spoke to her peers. (The verb is spoke.) Julita has spoken to her peers. (The main verb is spoken; the helping verb is has; thus the verb phrase is has spoken.)

Fragments A fragment is an incomplete sentence that may or may not have meaning. Examples: Fragment: Sam, the vice president’s brother Sentence: Sam, the vice president’s brother, got a hefty raise. Fragment: Because the beds were uncomfortable. Sentence: Because the beds were uncomfortable, she slept on the floor.

Sentence Structure Your messages will be more interesting if you vary the types of sentences you write. 4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

Simple Sentences A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses. Examples: Theodore sings. Theodore and Jason sing. Theodore sings and acts. Theodore Carson, a famous tenor, sings like an angel.

Compound Sentences A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses. Examples: Mr. Feinstein is the founder, and he was the first president of FSI. It’s getting late; however, I am glad to stay here and finish this project. Erin loves to ride horses; Manuel loves to draw horses.

Complex Sentences A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. Examples: Although it is important to proofread a written message, many people feel they do not have the time. Renaldo, who cannot swim, hates wading in Lake Waldo because he thinks it is polluted.

Compound-Complex Sentence A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Examples: Since Noni left the folders on the desk, her assistant decided to finish up, and he did a good job, even though he was very tired. Sierra and Casey, who are cousins, play together often; however, their fathers, who are brothers, don’t see enough of each other.

Vocabulary active voice adjective adverb clause collective noun conjunction direct object fragment indirect object interjection noun passive voice phrase possessive noun predicate preposition pronoun pronoun antecedent sentence subject verb verb tense